Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-02-09

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for them," she said decidedly, "and mean-
time I'll see if can't arrange Johns room
| for them"
sJohn's room!'
"Oh, mother is perfectly satisfied; indeed,
suggested it. It's larger and will hold two
beds, for Ned the friend, must attend to
him at night. And, Kate, don't you think,
if you're not going out again, you might
change your costume! 1t does very well
while we are alone"-
"Wel," said Kate Indignantly, "as am
not going into his room
"I'm not so sure about that, if we can't get
regular doctor. But he is very restless,
and wanders all over the house like n timid
and apologetic spaniel"
| "Who!"
"Why Ned But must go and look after
the patient. suppose they've got him safe
in his bed again." and with a nod to her sis
ter she tripped up stairs.
Uncomfortable and embarrassed, she knew
not why, Kate sought her mother. But that
good lady was already in attendance Oh the
center of attraction with feeling Of loneli-
ness and strangeness she had never expo
rienced before Entering her own room she
went to the window-that first and last ref
uge of the troubled mind-and gazed out
Turning her eyes in tho direction Of her
mornings walk, she started back with sense
of being dazzled. She rubbed first her eyes
and then the rain-dimmcd pane. 1t was no
illusion! The whole landscape so familiar to
her, was one vast field Of dead, colorless
white! Trees, rocks, even distance itself, had
vanished in those few hours. An even,
shadowless, motionless white sea filled tho
horizon. On either side vast wall of snow
seemed to shut out the world like a shroud.
Only the green plateau before her, with its
sloping meadows and fringes of pines and
cottonwood, lay alone like summer island
in this frozen sea-
A sudden desire to view this phenomenon
more closely, and to learn for herself the
Limits of this new tethered life, completely
possessed her, and, accustomed to act upon
her independent impulses, she seized hooded
waterproof cloak and slipped out of the house
unperceived. The rain was falling steadily
along the descending trail where she walked,
but beyond, scarcely mile across the chasm,
the wintry distance began to confuse her
brain with the inextricable swarming Of
snow. Hurrying down with feverish excite
ment, she at last came in sight of the arching
granite portals of their domain. But her first
glance through the gateway showed it closed
as if with white portcullis. Kate remem-
bered that tho trail began to ascend beyond
the arch, and knew that what she saw was
only the mountain side she had partly climbed
this morning. But the snow had crept down
its flank, and the exit by trail was prac-
tically closed. Breathlessly making her way
back to the highest part of the plateau-the
cliff behind the house that here descended ab-
ruptly to the rain-dimmed valey-she gazed
at the dizzy depths in vain for some undiscov-
cred or forgotten trail along its face. But q
single glance convinced her of its inacces-
sibility. The gateway was indeed their only
outlet to the plain below. She looked back
at the falling snow beyond until she fancied
she could see in the crossing and recrossing
lines the moving meshes of fateful web
woven around them by viewless but mex
orable fingers.
Half frightened, she was turning away,
when she perceived, a few PAGES distant, the
figure of the stranger, "Ned," also apparently
absorbed in the gloomy prospect. He was
wrapped in the clinging folds Of black
serape braided with silver; the broad flap of
slouched hat beaten back by the wind ex
posed the dark, glistening curls on his white
forehead. He was certainly very handsome
and picturesque, and that apparently without
effort or consciousness. Neither was there
anything in his costume or appearance in
consistent with his surroundings, OF even
with what Kate could judge wero bis habits
or position. Nevertheless she instantly de-
cided that he was too handsome and too pic
turesque, without suspecting that her ideas
of the limits of masculine beauty were merely
personal experience.
As he turned away from the cliff they were
brought face to face 1T doesn't look very
encouraging over there" be said, quietly, as
if the newt ,leness of tho situation had re-
lieved him - Is previous shyness and effort;
"it's even worse than expected. The snow
must have begun there last night, and it
looks as if it meant to stay" He stopped for
moment, and then, lifting his eyes to her,
said: II suppose you know what thi; neans!'
II don't understand you"
II thought not. Well! it means that you
are absolutely cut off here from any conimu
nication OF intercourse with any one outside
of that canyon. By this time the snow is five
feet deep over the only trail bywhich ono
can pass in and out of that gateway. I am
not alarming you, hope, for there is no real
physical danger; place like this ought to
be we'll garrisoned, and certainly is selfsup.
porting SO far as the mere necessities and
even comforts are concerned. You havo
wood, water, cattle and game at your COM
mand, but for two weeks at least you are
completely isolated"
"For two weeks, said Kate, growing pale
sand my brothers"
"He knows all by this time and is prob
ably as assured as I am of the safety of his
family"
"For two weeks, continued Kate, "impossi.
bic! You don't know my brother! He will
find some way to get to u.s."
~ hope So" returned the stranger, grave
ly, "for what is possible for him is possible
for U.s."
@Then you are anxious to get away" Kate
could not help saying.
"Very."
The reply was not discourteous in manner
but was so far from gallant that Kate felt n
new and inconsistent resentment. Before
she could say anything he added, "And
hope you will remember, whatever may hap
pen, that did my best to avoid staying here
longer than was necessary to keep my friend
from bleeding to death in the road"
"Certainly," said Kate; then added awk-
wardly, Il hope he'll be better soon." She
was silent, ani then, quickenins her pace,
said hurriedly, II must tell my sister this
dreadful news"
II think she is prepared for it. If there is
anything can do to help you hope you will
let me know. Perhaps I may be of some
service. shall begin by exploring the trails
tomorrow, for the best service we can do you
possibly is to take ourselves Off; but can
carry gun, and the woods are full of game
4 ,t.,., Of